Linda Caicedo: Footwork to deceive

In this article, the second in our world-class skills series, we examine the intricacies of moving the ball at great speed using different parts of the feet when space is at a premium. This technique is a hallmark of Linda Caicedo’s devastating playing style. The jet-heeled Colombian attacker showcases this skill when running with the ball and engaging defenders in 1v1 scenarios.

In the period between August 2022 and August 2023, Caicedo not only starred for her country at both the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ and the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™, but she also started all five of Colombia’s matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, where she weighed in with two goals as Las Cafeteras made it through to the last eight. The Real Madrid forward is renowned for her lightning speed, mesmerising close ball control, as well as an innate ability to ghost past defenders and create space when it appears that there is none. During her maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup™ campaign, the fresh-faced 18-year-old demonstrated her ability to dazzle on the greatest stage in the women’s game as she strutted her stuff against some of the finest players on the planet.

As illustrated in the clips below, Caicedo’s ability to shift the ball using different parts of both feet to deceive defenders is a signature skill that makes her a truly exceptional forward player.

Key insights

Running with the ball at speed requires the player to be able to take deft touches with the front part of the foot (toes pointing down) to keep the ball close to them, without the need to break their stride. The player should also be capable of doing this while keeping their head up to see the game ahead of, and around, them.
Running at a defender with the ball using the front part of the foot makes the player unpredictable, especially when they are able to perform sharp directional changes with the inside or outside of the same foot. Using the front of the foot makes it hard for the defender to read where the attacker is going. If the defender commits to showing the attacking player in one direction, the player can quickly move in the opposite direction.
When a player has the ability to use the inside and outside of both feet with speed, control and accuracy, they can move the defender in one direction, forcing them to plant their feet and body shape. The attacking player can then shift the ball to their opposite foot to advance into the space created by overcoming or committing the defender. Using the inside or outside of their foot in the secondary action determines how much space the attacking player is able to create.

Front-foot technique

When Caicedo runs with the ball, she nudges and guides it forward using the front of her right foot, with her toes pointing down towards the ground. By using this technique, she is able to advance at speed without having to break her stride after making contact with the ball, which makes it very difficult for defenders to keep pace with her when she accelerates with the ball. She also keeps her head up to allow her to see and evaluate the bigger picture, enabling her to consider and decide on her next action.

In the example below, we see Caicedo deploy this front-foot technique as she approaches an England defender. Given that she is advancing straight towards the defender and is using the front part of her foot, the defender is unable to predict in which direction she will go. As soon as the defender’s feet are planted square-on, it presents Caicedo with the opportunity to change direction and dart into space.

(1/3) Caicedo engages the defender, nudging the ball forward with the front of her foot, with her toes pointing down. Her body shape indicates that she may be about to burst to her left (the defender’s right).

(2/3) Caicedo then drops her left shoulder and guides the ball to her right using the front-foot technique with her right foot and pushing off her left foot. With the defender’s two feet planted, she is caught square-on.

(3/3) Caicedo then accelerates away, knowing that the defender is unable to adjust her feet quickly enough and can be bypassed.

These three movements take place in the space of a second and require great strength and agility in the hips, knees and ankles. These skilful, athletic actions can be seen in full effect in the clips below, in which Caicedo demonstrates her ability to run with the ball and beat defenders.

Caicedo approaches an England defender, nudging the ball forward with the front of her foot, making her unpredictable and difficult to read.

Front of foot to outside of foot when running towards a defender

Another tactic that Caicedo commonly uses to deceive defenders when running at them with the ball is to perform sudden directional changes, in which she switches from moving the ball with the front of her foot to the outside of her foot. This requires great ankle strength and agility and is extremely difficult to defend against.

(1/2) Caicedo approaches the Morocco defender, nudging the ball forward with the front of her right foot.

(2/2) Caicedo changes the direction of the ball using the outside of her right foot. As we can see in the clips below, this technique earns Caicedo space and is extremely effective when she is approaching the opposition’s penalty area, as it can afford her the time to deliver a cross or make an unopposed attempt on goal.

When Caicedo sees that a defender has both feet planted, or that they are committed to moving in one direction, she quickly shifts the ball into space by cutting outwards with the outside of her foot.

Caicedo approaches a Morocco defender using the front and then outside of her right foot to change direction.

Caicedo approaches a Morocco defender using the front and outside of her right foot to create the space to deliver a cross.

Caicedo runs at a Korea Republic defender before shifting the ball with the outside of her right foot to create the space to make a successful attempt on goal.

Inside foot cut when running alongside a defender

Caicedo’s technical excellence also allows her to cut inside a defender, sending them the wrong way and giving them no chance to adjust their body shape to halt her progress. As illustrated in the examples below, she is capable of overcoming defenders who stay with her as she runs alongside, instead of towards, them. In these situations, the defender is fully committed to running in the same direction as Caicedo. By using the inside of her foot to cut back into the space the defender has just vacated, she is able to eliminate opposition players from her pathway.

(1/3) As the Jamaica defender takes a step forward, Caicedo cuts back inside using the inside of her right foot.

(2/3) As the defender tries to stop, she is already facing the wrong way as Caicedo adjusts her body shape to advance into the space on the inside.

(3/3) Caicedo has already earned some time and space as the defender attempts to adjust.

The clips below offer some examples of how Caicedo uses this technique with both her right and left foot. Because the defender is running at speed, it is virtually impossible for them to stop and change direction quickly enough to keep pace with her.

As Caicedo is tracked by a Jamaica defender, she cuts back inside using the inside of her right foot.

On this occasion, Caicedo cuts back inside using the inside of her left foot to outfox the defender tracking her.

Switching between both feet to commit defenders

As we have seen, Caicedo has the ability to use either foot to deceive defenders. However, she is also capable of using both feet in quick succession to eliminate opponents, demonstrating her fine technical balance. This technique is particularly effective when she is inside the opposition’s penalty area, as it allows her to bypass more than one defender and create the space to make an unopposed attempt on goal. Again, ankle strength and agility are key physical components in the execution of this complex technique, which requires huge amounts of practice to master.

(1/3) Faced by two Germany defenders and closed down by the nearest one, Caicedo shifts the ball to her left using the inside of her right foot into the space directly in front of the second defender.

(2/3) Having bypassed the first defender, and with the second defender square-on, Caicedo shifts the ball back to her right, into the vacated space, using the inside of her left foot.

(3/3) With the first defender eliminated, Caicedo uses the outside of her right foot to advance into the space created and in so doing, eliminates the second defender before unleashing a successful attempt on goal.

The two clips below provide us with examples of Caicedo using this skill to beat defenders inside the opposition’s penalty area and create opportunities to make an attempt on goal. In the second example, taken from the group-stage meeting against Germany, Caicedo eliminates two defending players before scoring one of the best goals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Caicedo quickly shifts the ball from the inside of her right foot to the inside of her left foot to eliminate a Jamaica defender and make an attempt on goal.

Caicedo switches the ball between the inside of both feet before advancing into space and scoring against Germany.

Summary

When up against organised and structured defences, space is often at a premium for attacking players in the final third. Having a player who possesses the ability to deceive and eliminate defenders can prove to be game-changing. The technical footwork skills that Caicedo has mastered make her a difference-maker for both Real Madrid and Colombia. Her ability to run with the ball at great speed and to use different parts of both feet to commit defenders and change direction allows her to create time and space in situations in which there is none. Her strength, agility, vision and speed of decision-making give her the capacity to create moments of real magic that excite her team-mates and fans alike.